Unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal

ABSTRACT

A unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal comprises two layers of absorbent material which are permanently secured together, or are integral with each other to form a container for a sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the two layers and which is removably secured to the container.

UnitedStatesPatent 1 1 Hockley et a]. Oct. 9, 1973 [54] UNIT FOR PROTECTING A SUPPORTING 971,680 10 1910 Kline 128/287 SURFACE FROM SOILING BY A HUMAN 123 3 3;}??? 1 evey..... R AN ANIMAL 463,280 11/1891 Libbey... [76] Inventors: Horace Reginald Hockley; Audrey 2,803,836 8/1957 Hunsicker /334 R Hilda Hockley, both of 28 Green Curve, Surrey, Banstead, England Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg [22] Fled: 1971 Assistant Examiner-Stephen P. Garbe 21 APPL 12 ,943 Attorney-Larson, Taylor & Hinds [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 7, 1970 Great Britain 16,526/ [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl /1, 2/69.5, 128/287, A nit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling 150/52 R by a human or an animal comprises two layers of ab- [51] Int. Cl. 365d ol-bent material which are permanently secured to- [58] Field of Search 150/ 1, 52 R; gether, or are integral with each other to form a con- 5/334 128/2 9, 69-5 tainer for a sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the two layers and which is re- [56] References Cited movably secured to the container.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,942,281 6/1960 Cole 5/341 16 C lajrns, 9 Drawing Figures N PATENTEUBBT @1915 5,763,907

SHEEI 10F 3 FIG.4

PATENTEDUET ems UNIT FOR PROTECTING A SUPPORTING SURFACE FROM SOILING BY A HUMAN OR AN ANIMAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal.

2. Description of the Prior Art Means for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human are known in which an imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material is either permanently secured or inserted without securing between two layers of absorbent material. However, with such means it is very difficult to prevent wrinkling or ruckling of the imperforate sheet so that the means can become very uncomfortable for a user to sit or lie on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit com prising:

a. two rectangular layers of absorbent material which are permanently secured together to form a rectangular container for a rectangular imperforate sheet of liquidimpervious material which is interposed between the two layers, the two layers defining at least one opening for permitting insertion of the sheet into, and removal of the sheet from, the container, and Y b. releasable means which removably secure the sheet to the container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which are fully covered by said two rectangular layers of absorbent material, the releasable means acting to resist wrinkling of the sheet when the unit is in use.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising:

a. two layers of absorbent material which are integral with each other and provide a container in the form of a flattened tube for an imperforate sheet of liquidimpervious material which is interposed between the two layers, and

b. means releasable which removably secure the imperforate sheet to the container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which are fully covered by said two layers of absorbent material, the releasable means acting to resist wrinkling of the sheet when the unit is in use.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising:

a. two rectangular layers of absorbent material which are permanently secured together by stitching to form a rectangular container for an rectangular imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the layers and which is slightly smaller in size than that of the space within said container the layers defining an opening for permitting removal of the sheet from, and insertion of the sheet into the container, said stitching being so spaced from the outer periphery of the container that said two layers define at least one pocket between the stitching said and outer periphery, and

b. a plurality of pairs of co-operating strips which removably secure said imperforate sheet to said container at the four comer regions of the sheet and which extend through gaps in said stitching into said at least one pocket in which each pair of strips is secured together whereby the secured strips act to resist wrinkling of the imperforate sheet when the unit is in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more fully understood some embodiments in accordance therewith will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the unit of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the unit of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cut-away detail view of a corner A of the unit of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 6, is a plan view of another embodiment, and I FIG. 7, is a plan view of a further embodiment comprising a flattened tube of absorbent material.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged cut-away detailed views showing alternative forms of releasable means.

In the drawings the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, a unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal comprises a single piece of absorbent material 1, for example a textile fabric such as turkish towelling, which has been folded into two at 4, forming two opposed layers 1a and lb of rectangular shape. The layers la and 1b are permanently secured together as by lines of stitching 6 and 7 along two opposed side edges 2 and 3 of the unit adjacent to the fold 4 forming a rectangular bag of absorbent material which constitutes an open container for a rectangular imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material 11. The bag presents two opposed absorbent surfaces and is open at one side edge as indicated at 5 to permit insertion of the sheet 11 into, or removal of the sheet 11 from, the bag. The layers la and 1b are sewn together in such manner that the lines of stitching 6 and 7 are located a short distance inwardly from the sides 2 and 3 thereby providing a pocket 8 along each of the two sides 2 and 3. The distance of the lines of stitching 6, 7 from the sides 2, 3 can be from 1% to 2 inches. Gaps 9 are left in the lines of stitching, as indicated more I clearly in FIG. 4, for a purpose to be described.

The imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious flexible material 11 is interposed between the two layers In and 1b i.e. it is disposed in the form of a layer within, and is removably secured at each of its four comers by pairs of co-operating strips constituted by tapes or ribbons 10, to the bag. The sheet 1 1 is of rectangular shape and is slightly smaller in size than the available space within the bag, thus permitting it to be shaken, temporarily tensioned, or pulled tight and flat within the bag by means of the tapes 10 so as to avoid undesirable wrinkling of the sheet when the unit is in use. The tapes 10 pass through holes 10a in each of the corners of the sheet, through the gaps 9 in the lines of stitching 6 and 7 and into the pockets 8 where they are tied in any convenient manner. The knots thus formed lie within the pockets 8. The edges of the holes 100 are reinforced by a ring of suitable material 12, which ring may be glued or otherwise secured to the sheet 11 around the holes. The reinforcing ensures that the material of the sheet 11 is not over-stressed at the corners when it is secured inside the bag. The dimensions of the gaps 9 are such that the tapes 10 may be passed freely there-through.

As is shown diagrammatically the open side of the bag is closed by releasable fastening means 13 which may be Velcro" (Trade Mark), press studs of plastics material or a number of tapes or ribbons. However, the fastening means 13 are not essential and can be dispensed with.

Referring now to FIG. of the drawings, the embodiment shown differs from that of FIGS. 1 to 4 in that the container is formed of two separate pieces of absorbent material which respectively constitute the two layers la and lb and are secured together along the side edges 2 and 3 and 4a by means of lines of stitching 6, 7 and 70 respectively to form a bag, which is open at the side edge 5. As in FIGS. 1 to 4 the container is provided with pockets 8 and tapes 10 which removably secure the sheet 1 l to the bag as illustrated. Similarly, the material of the corners of the sheet 11 where each hole 100 is formed is reinforced by a ring of suitable material 12 and releasable fastening means 13 may also be provided.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings differs from that of the previous two embodiments in that the container is in the form of a flattened tube which is made from two separate pieces of absorbent material which form the two layers la and 1b which are permanently secured together by lines of stitching 6 and 7 along the two opposite sides edges 2 and 3 respectively. Being in the form of a flattened tube, the container is open at its two opposed side edges 4a and 5. Otherwise the features of construction of the unit are the same as the previous two embodiments.

As an alternative (not illustrated), the layers In and lb may be formed from a single piece of absorbent material which is folded into two at 3, the layers being permanently secured together by the line of stitching 6 along the side edge 2 to form a container in the form of a flattened tube. In this case, the tapes 10 and reinforced holes 10a are only provided at the side edge 2 of the container and the impervious sheet 11 is removably secured at the folded side edge 3 by means of Velcro which is located in approximately the same position as the holes 10a at this side edge.

In the above described embodiments, instead of tying the tapes or ribbons l0, Velcro" or press stud means as shown in FIG. 9 which are preferably made ofa suitable plastics material may be used to fasten the tapes or ribbons together inside the pockets 8. Alternatively to the tapes or ribbons, two cooperating strips of Velcm" or elastic can be used. Furthermore, in a case where the impervious sheet 11 is not provided with reinforced holes 10a, any of the described securing strips can be stitched to the sheet 11 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 or otherwise secured to the sheet 11. Preferably the securing strips and fastening means are of a nonmetallic material so as to avoid any deterioration thereof when the unit is soiled. It will be appreciated that by using tapes, ribbons or Velcro" to removably secure the sheet 1 1 to the container and securing these in the pockets 8, the area of the sheet on which a patient for example, lies is smooth.

Furthermore, the provision of the pockets 8, guards against unfastening of the securing means, for example by an elderly person or an animal, and also ensure that the securing means remains out of sight. Moreover, being secured outside the space within the container, the securing means are very easily manipulated.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the unit comprises a container consisting of a flattened tube of absorbent material incorporating two layers 1a and 1b of absorbent material, which layers are integral with each other. In this specification the word integral denotes that the two layers la and 1b are not permanently secured together to form the containers as in the previously described embodiments but that the absorbent material of one layer is continuous with that of the other layer along two opposed side edges (2,3). The imperforate sheet of liquid impervious material 11 is interposed between the two layers la and 1b and is removably secured to the container through one of the layers by means ofVelcro 10. The imperforate sheet 11 is slightly smaller in size than that of the available space within the container so that by suitable positioning of the Velcro" the sheet 11 can be temporarily tensioned or pulled tight within the container. One of the open sides of the flattened tube may be closed by aline of stitching such as 7a and the other open side may be releasably closed by fastening means such as 13.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the unit described may be of any desired size, for example, such as may fit in a double bed, a single bed, a childs cot, a childs or invalid chair, a perambulator, a chair, a cats basket, or even a dogs kennel. Also, instead of being oblong as illustrated the units may be square. Moreover, absorbent materials employed for the absorbent material of the layers may be any suitable absorbent material which may be of any desired thickness, quality, colour or design, or any combination thereof. The material of the liquid impervious sheet 7 may be of pure rubber, rubber insertion, a plastics material or a treated textile fabric. A combination of the above named proportions, qualities and materials can be selected to suit various purposes and conditions, for example travelling, domestic, surgical, invalids or animals use.

In use, in each of the embodiments, by virtue of the securing means for the sheet 11 e.g. the tapes 10, the impervious sheet can be temporarily tensioned and can be made smooth, flat and free from wrinkles between the supporting layers by merely shaking the unit or holding up the unit by any two of its adjacent corners so that gravity acts upon the sheet to straighten and smooth the same.

The units described permit the liquid-impervious sheet 11 to be easily secured, unsecured and removed from between the two absorbent layers for cleansing or renewal and equally easily to be re-inserted between the absorbent layers and re-fastened so as to function therewith as one complete and single unit. Similarly, the units described enable the soiled absorbent layers to be unfastened, and removed, from the impervious sheet 11 for cleansing and renewal. The absorbent material is comfortable for a user to sit or lie on and, by virtue of the securing means, ruckling, and folding of the sheet 11 to such an extent as to cause discomfort quent lossof protection for the underlying surface.

The nature, size and weight of the absorbent layers are such as to render the washing or drying thereof a comparatively short and simple operation. If the'units described are used, for example in hospitals, instead of the conventional rubber sheet interposed between the layers formed by folding a normal single bed sized woven sheet to constitute a draw sheet, a saving in time and expensein laundering is achieved. Moreover, the washing and drying of such a unit when used by persons staying in hotels, boarding houses or the like, is much less likely to attract attention (and thus greatly to reduce any possible resulting embarrassement) than that of a complete woven bed sheet of normal type.

By means of the two layers of absorbent material an opportunity is afforded, when used as a bed protective unit, for any one of the units described to be used twice during a relatively short time interval, merely by inverting it on, or in, the bed. This feature would principally apply when the nature of the soiling was such as to readily dry inoffensively through the warmth of the human body.

Furthermore, since the sheet'll is readily removable from the layers of absorbent material the sheet is not subjected to the hot liquids which would be used for laundering the absorbent material.

In a hygenic application, the units described positively prevent thewetting or soiling of, bed linen such as sheets, blankets, mattresses and, inter alia, the rusting or rotting of any portions of a bedstead, cot, perambulator, chair or other bed supporting or containing means whether these be of metallic or non-metallic construction.

In a comfort application, the knowledge to a human user that the whole ofthe bed linen is fully'protected by a liquid-impervious sheet whilst the body of the user is in contact with comfortably absorbent material upon which the body is sitting or lying, induces a feeling of safety and tranquillity. Thus, any fears that bedding or other supporting surfaces may inadvertently become soiled are entirely dissipated.

Practically, any movement of a person or an animal on the upper most surface of the unit does not normally result in a wrinkling or folding of the imperforate sheet below, by virtue of the securing means provided in the unit; these co-operate with the lowermost surface of the unit in contact with a bed sheet for example to hold firm the entire unit on the bed when in use.

What is claimed is:

l. A unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising:

a. two rectangular layers of absorbent material which are permanently secured together to form a rectangular container for a rectangular imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the two layers, the two layers defining at least one opening for permitting insertion of the sheet into, and removal of the sheet from, the container, and

b. releasable means which removably secure the sheet to the container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which are fully covered by said two rectangular layers of absorbent material, the releasable means acting to resist wrinkling of the sheet when the unit is in use.

2. A unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising:

a. two layers of absorbent material which are integral with each other and provide a container in the form of a flattened tube for an imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the two layers, and

b. releasable means which removably secure the imperforate sheet to the container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which are fully covered by said two layers of absorbent material, the releasable means acting to resist wrinkling of the sheet when the unit is in use.

3. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the two layers are formed from a single piece of folded absorbent material and are secured together by stitching.-

4. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the two layers are formed from two separate pieces of absorbent material which are secured together'by stitching.

5. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container is in the form of a bag.

6. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container is in the form of a flattened tube.

7. A unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein one of the open sides of the tube is closed by a line of stitching to form a bag.

8. A unit as set forth in claim 5, wherein the opening of the bag is releasably closed.

9. A unit as set forth in claim 7, wherein the open side of the bag is releasably closed.

10. A unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising:

a. two rectangular layers of absorbent material which are permanently secured together by stitching to form a rectangular imperforate sheet of liquidimpervious material which is interposed between the layers and which is slightly smaller in size than that of the space within said container, the layers defining an opening for permitting removal of the sheet from, and insertion of the sheet into the container, said stitching being so spaced from the outer periphery of the container that said two layers define at least one pocket between the stitching and said outer periphery, and

b. a plurality of pairs of co-operating strips which removably secure said imperforate sheet to said container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which extend through gaps in said stitching into said at least one pocket in which each pair of strips is secured together, whereby the secured strips act to resist wrinkling of the imperforate sheet when the unit is in use.

11. A unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein each pair of strips is tied together inside said at least one pocket.

12. A unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein each pair of co-operating strips is provided with press stud means made of plastics material which are fastened together inside said at least one pocket.

13. A unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein said imperforate sheet defines a plurality of reinforced holes and wherein the strips extend through said holes.

16. A unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the imperforate sheet is secured to the container at securing locations which are at the four corner regions of the container. 

1. A unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising: a. two rectangular layers of absorbent material which are permanently secured together to form a rectangular container for a rectangular imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the two layers, the two layers defining at least one opening for permitting insertion of the sheet into, and removal of the sheet from, the container, and b. releasable means which removably secure the sheet to the container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which are fully covered by said two rectangular layers of absorbent material, the releasable means acting to resist wrinkling of the sheet when the unit is in use.
 2. A unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising: a. two layers of absorbent material which are integral with each other and provide a container in the form of a flattened tube for an imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the two layers, and b. releasable means which removably secure the imperforate sheet to the container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which are fully covered by said two layers of absorbent material, the releasable means acting to resist wrinkling of the sheet when the unit is in use.
 3. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the two layers are formed from a single piece of folded absorbent material and are secured together by stitching.
 4. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the two layers are formed from two separate pieces of absorbent material which are secured together by stitching.
 5. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container is in the form of a bag.
 6. A unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container is in the form of a flattened tube.
 7. A unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein one of the open sides of the tube is closed by a line of stitching to form a bag.
 8. A unit as set forth in claim 5, wherein the opening of the bag is releasably closed.
 9. A unit as set forth in claim 7, wherein the open side of the bag is releasably closed.
 10. A unit for protecting a supporting surface from soiling by a human or an animal, said unit comprising: a. two rectangular layers of absorbent material which are permanEntly secured together by stitching to form a rectangular imperforate sheet of liquid-impervious material which is interposed between the layers and which is slightly smaller in size than that of the space within said container, the layers defining an opening for permitting removal of the sheet from, and insertion of the sheet into the container, said stitching being so spaced from the outer periphery of the container that said two layers define at least one pocket between the stitching and said outer periphery, and b. a plurality of pairs of co-operating strips which removably secure said imperforate sheet to said container at the four corner regions of the sheet and which extend through gaps in said stitching into said at least one pocket in which each pair of strips is secured together, whereby the secured strips act to resist wrinkling of the imperforate sheet when the unit is in use.
 11. A unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein each pair of strips is tied together inside said at least one pocket.
 12. A unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein each pair of co-operating strips is provided with press stud means made of plastics material which are fastened together inside said at least one pocket.
 13. A unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein said imperforate sheet defines a plurality of reinforced holes and wherein the strips extend through said holes.
 14. A unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the strips are stitched to said imperforate sheet.
 15. A unit set forth in claim 1, wherein the imperforate sheet is secured to the container at securing locations which are at the four corner regions of the container.
 16. A unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the imperforate sheet is secured to the container at securing locations which are at the four corner regions of the container. 